What is the term for the distance water travels after leaving the nozzle?

The term for the distance water travels after leaving the nozzle is referred to as stream reach. This term is crucial in fire protection and firefighting because it indicates how far the water can effectively reach when applied in a firefighting scenario. Understanding stream reach helps fire brigade members assess the effectiveness of their water streams in combating fires, ensuring they maintain enough distance to reach the base of the fire while still providing adequate coverage. Factors such as the nozzle design, the pressure of the water supply, and the angle at which the stream is projected can all influence stream reach, making it an important consideration in strategic firefighting operations.

In contrast, pressure loss pertains to the reduction of water pressure as it travels through hoses and fittings, which affects the strength of the stream but not the distance it can reach. Reaction distance is related to the physical response time and distance needed by firefighters to avoid hazards or react to a situation, not the distance water travels from the nozzle. Flow distance might suggest the pathway water takes, but it does not specifically define the effective reach of the stream after it exits the nozzle.